Israel Extends Detention without Trial for Palestinian Clown
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Israel has extended the detention without trial of Palestinian circus performer Mohammed Abu Sakha for another six months, his circus school said Monday.
Abu Sakha, 24, was arrested on Dec. 14 in the occupied West Bank, and held since January in administrative detention, the controversial measure under which Israel can hold suspects without trial for periods of six months, renewable indefinitely.
"Administrative detention order extended (for) another six months. Our hearts are heavy," a statement from the Palestinian Circus School said, AFP reported.
Amnesty International has called for Abu Sakha's release, saying Israel believes he is a member of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which is considered a “terrorist group” by Israel due to its armed wing.
Israel has not publicly confirmed the reason for detaining him.
The Palestinian Performing Arts Network, representing artists and cultural institutions, earlier this year said it was "deeply concerned" over the detention of Abu Sakha, who has been part of the Palestinian Circus School in Bir Zeit in the occupied West Bank since 2008, first as a student and later as a clown and teacher.
More than 7,500 Palestinians are currently in Israeli jails, of whom around 700 are held under administrative detention, according to Palestinian rights groups.